Sheet-metal door and analogous structure



Jan. 19 1926.

L. R. -L JUNGBERG ET AL SHEET METAL Doon AND ANALoGoUs STRUCTURE' 1922 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct- A 1,570,310 L. R. LJUNGBERG El' AL SHEET METAL, nooRAND ANALoGousV STRUCTURE Jan. 19 1926.

Filed oct. 1o. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Hun H||||Il||||h U nllllllllllrllll'HIIIIWIIHIJHMHullllllllvn wvl; .-.222-25.22 l lHHIIMHHHH .Patented Jan. 19, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LAWRENCE E. :cattiveriaERG` AND WILLIAM A. ANDEEBEEG, 0E JAMESTCWN, NEWYORK, AssrsNoRs To ART METAL CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, or .TAMEsroWN,

NEW YORK.

SHEET-METAL DOOR AND ANALOG-GUS STRUCTURE.

Application led October 10, 1922. Serial No. 593,604.

T0 all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that we, LAWRENCE R. LJUNGnEnG and *il/TILLIAM A. ANDERBERG,citizens of the United States, residing at Jamestown, in the county ofChautauqua and State of New York, have invented a new and usefulimprovement in Sheet-Metal Doors and Analogous Structures, vof which thefollowing is a specification.

rl`his invention relates to improvements in sheet metal doors andanalogous sheet metal structures which are lcomposed of separate, sheetmetal parts or members which are secured together and retained inconnection with each other by interlocking or interfitting' jointsformed -by folded or bent vsheet metal parts. For instance,l in sheetmetal doors, the panel mouldiugs are joined to the stiles and rails ofthe door by such interlocking or folded joints.

Joints of many diiferent constructions have been heretofore proposed forsecuring together the parts of such sheet metal structures, but many ofthese joints are impractical from a manufacturing standpoint, or are notdesirable from one or another standpoint. For example, some of thejoints heretofore proposed are constructed so that in assembling the.parts it is necesf sary for one part to be slippedendwise intoconnection with the other, and if the folded parts forming the joint aremade in the closely interfit-ting relation which they are to retain,much diliiculty and labor are eX- pci-ienced in slipping the partstogether, because of the riction between the same. Furthermore, muchmore time and labor are required to assemble parts of this characterthan where the parts are made so that they can be fittedV togetheredgewise. In order to avoid this difficulty, joints have been made inwhich the parts of the joint iit each other loosely when being`assembled, so as to facilitate tho assembling, but the parts of suchjoints have to be compressed into closely fitting relation after theparts are engaged, and this necessitates the use of a mandrel or specialmanipulation which increases the labor or inconvenience of completingthe structure.

@ne of the objects of this invention is to produce a sheet metal door oranalogous hollow sheet metal structure, the parts of nhich ,can 'bereadily assembled and ysecured with the minimum of labor and expense,but of a construction which nevertheless in sures strong, rigid andclosely fitting joints between the parts and braces the opposite wallsof the hollow structure. Other objects of the invention are to produce asheet `metal door or analogous, hollow sheet metal structure, in whichthe parts can be readily fitted together edgewise, and are lockedtogether and braced so as to be held rigidly from relative movement by akey member which is inserted endwiserinto interlocking engagement withthe interfitting portions of the'parts of the structure; also to soconstruct the parts that the key member can be quickly and easilyinserted into place, but will, nevertheless draw the parts of thestructure tightly together and hold them rigidly against relativemovement, and form a stiff brace for the opposite walls of thestructure; and also to improve hollow, sheet metal doors in the otherrespects herein after described and set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. l is a reduced front elevation of a sheet metal door having theparts thereof connected by means embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section thereof enn larged, on line 2 2, Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 isa sectional perspective view of a portion of the key strip.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing a moulding and stop for adetachable ypanel or glass.

Fig. 5 is a cross section, similar to Fig. 2, showing a Slightlymodified embodiment of the invention. i

Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are sections of the rail, moulding and keystriprespectively of the form shown in Fig. 5.

F.ig. 9 is a fragmentary elevation, partly broken away, of theconstruction shown in Fig. 5. f

Fig. l0 is a fragmentary, sectional, perspective view thereof indicatingthe manner of inserting the key strip.

Fig. ll is a cross section of an intermediate door rail which requiresmouldings at its opposite edges.

A represents the stiles, B, B and B2 the upper, intermediate and lowerrails, an'd C the panels of a sheet metal door. D represents sheetmetal. ,mouldings or members which extend alone' the edlejes ot thestiles and rails for holding; the panels in place and proridine;ornamental, marginal mouldings 'toi` the panels. lach of' the stiles Apreterably consists) as usual. el a single piece ot S'heet ine-tal lientinto channel torni, having' opposite, parallel trout and rear walls aconnected by an edge yall. 'lhe upper' and e formed in a lower rails caneach similar manner troni a snr-'le piece of sheet metal hentintochannel 'torni and having i'ront and i `.ar walls l connected by an edgewall il', as shown in lili@ yllhe Ainteimediate rail or rails areeeually composed ot sepaarate. 'liront and rear ralls 7:2 and lf2 (seeFig. l0), lfiecause o'll the use ot inouldings at the opposite cdgges ofthe intermediate rail or rails. The joints 'for connecting' the mouldiito the edges et the stiles and rails are howefen of similar formation,as will now be described.

The construction shown in Figs. l-3 will be 'described first.

mhe inner else each ot the front and walls Zi of the rail lient tirstlaterally inward at right angles to the plane ot the wall, forming' aslioinder tlY en inwardly, parallel with the wall 7), as indicated atlf3, and then laterally inward. forming; an 1nwardly preiectine` lateralflange l?. The shoi'ihlir port on l5 is Relatively wide tormine' a widespace or channel ifi between the inner' face of the wall l and theinbent portion lll. 'llhl` iulding member ll is also preferably i" adefr( A l piece of sheet metal bent inte suitable shape lio provide anydesired contig-gi ation for the eiposed oriiaineiital iiertion il themeuldine'.y and a recess or seat lfl to receive the panel. The iiiouldias shown in l, has a central .droeve .lll'to receive the panel. nd theedges the opr-e walis the moulding are lil lv inward at 20. thenoutnardly.y para 'f the face o't the rail as indicated a la thenlaterally iniif'ar'd, 'formino' an inwardly proiectingr, lateral fla Thepart flf 2l and are located opposite and extend in the same greneraldircct l as the corresg'ionding parts 'lf3 aid l? respectively ot therail but pref-i erably the inwardly oltcndino' shoulders 2f) of themoulding' are foi-inedA l #lightly acute angles so that they bear onlyat their outer es aejainst the shoulders l5 of the rail,thereliyiinsuring ti.L lily joints at these edges. The inouldino; isalso preferably made so that a slifzhtclearance is left between each:flange @Eliot the moulding` and the opposed flange l? ot the rail. Themoulding' thus formed is adapted to be seated or inserted edegewise intoplace in the edge ot the rail with the outbent portions 2l ot themouldine' fitting; between and against the correresponding; portions 16of the rail.

The moulding land rail are secured tou il JL rether in this position bya lrey member or strip which is shaped so as to provide oppositeportions which extend around the flanges 1T and Q2 of the rail andmoulding' and extend intetlie channels 1S between the walls 7) and theinbent portions 1G of the rail. The key member is provided between itsedges with opposite, outwardly directed flanges or portions 2li whichproject over and bear upon the inwardly projecting` flanges et themoulding', and the key strip also has opposite edge flanges Vwhichextend around the flanges 1,7 int-o the channels 1S ot the rail. The keymember is inserted endwise into place in the rail in the position shownin Fir'. 2, and when in place. the extreme edges et the side flangeswill engage 'in the inner corners of the channels 18 ot' the rail, andthe opposite shoulder portions 2li of he key member will bear againstthe inner 'laees ot the opposite walls Z) or the rail, while theinwardly extending` flung' `s l? and of the rail and moulding` willproject inward`y between the body and the outwardly directed portions 24ot the key member. The ley member will thus lock` the moulding l) in itsseat in the rail against the shoulders l5 of the latter. Furthermore,the key member braces the opposite walls off the rail, preventingv thecollapsineolf the rail or inward displacement ot' the walls toward Veachother. Nevertheless. since the side flanges Q5 of the key.

uicn'iber enter the wide channels 1S between the wal 7; and portions lf3oi" the rail and nef einst th:` rail only at the shoulders and at theeiatreme edges of the vflanges :25 of the lrey member, the latter can beeasily slipped into its interloclrinf; relation with the rail and inouldii lnasi'nuch as the inwardly efrtendinp; flanges of the mouldino;aie spaced slightly away from the opposing li" ot the rail. the ll'eymember tends to spring-` o1' press the flanges to' ward the opposing;flanges l? of' the rail and thereby draw the meridine tightly to itsseat on the rail. rllhis fi-onstruction, tlierei'fore. holds the lreymember .firmly in place and insures that the shoi'ilders 2O of themoulding will fit snugly at their outer edges against the shoulders l5ot the rail. Inward displacement of the n'iouldinp; is prevented by theengagement of the shoulders l5 and. Q0 and lateral displacei'nent isprevented by the portions lf3 and while the key member interlockine3with the moulding' and rail. preif'onts outward displacement of themoulding. Theretore, while the moulding; and rail can be quickly andeasily secured together, the described construction neyertheless resultsin a very strong, firm and durable connection of the parts, The broadshoulders l5 and flange 17 on the ail. supplemented by the bracing'action of the inclined flanges 25 of the key member in the wide channels18 of the "ail, make the structure exceedingly .stiff and rigid at thejoints between its parts.

Fig. l illustrates thev form of connection preferably used with amoulding for a detachable panel or glass. In this form, the rail and thekey member' are Vformed as before described, and the form of themoulding is the same, except at that side thereof where the removablestop 27 for the panel is located. The moulding has no shoulder 2O atthis side, but only an outbent portion 21a and flange 22d cooperatingwith the portions 1G and 17 respectively of the rail. Tlhe flange 22a isadapted to abut against the flange 17 to prevent inward displacement ofthe moulding at this side, but preferably diverges inwardly away fromthe flange 17 so that the key member by pressure on the flange 22 willdraw the moulding to a firm seat on the rail.

Figs. 5-10 show a slightly modified form of the invention. In thisconstruction the moulding` has the shoulders 20, outbentportions 21 andlateral flanges 22, and the rail has shoulders 15b, and inbent portions16b against which the portions 2O and 21 of the molding bear, as beforedescribed, but the rail has no inwardly projecting flanges 17. The keystrip or member has opposite, outwardly directed portions 2a engagingthe moulding flanges 22, but these portions 24 are formed by lugs ortongues punched out at intervals from the metal of the strip. lhe keystrip also has side flanges 25b eX- tending around the flanges 22" intothe channels 18" of the rail, butv these flanges are curved outwardlyfrom their juncture with the body of the strip and bearat their outeredges against the walls l) of the rail, and at their inner anglesagaii'ist the edges of the inbent portions 16" Yof the rail. The key.

strip thus acts in a similar manner to draw and lock the parts together,and to brace the walls of the rail. Since the key flanges 25" embracethe edges of the inbent portions 16' of the rail, the)7 brace theseportionsand prevent them from spreading so thatv lateral [langes thereon(such as 17), are not needed.

As shown in Fig. 11, the opposite walls of the intermediate rail aremade separate, and both edges of each wall are formed for the connectionof a moulding therewith, but the edge formation of the walls is thesaine as iu vtho construction shown in Figs. 5-8, and the mouldings litthereon and are secured by key strips,just as described in connectionwithk Figs.l 5-8. Manifestly, the connection disclosed in Figs. 2 and 3is similarly applicable to rails or other parts of the structure havingthe opposite walls thereof separate as shown in Fig. 11.

In the above description for the sake of brevity and elearness, theinvention has been explained as for the connection of a mnuldv ing to adoor rail, but the same construction is used for connecting themouldings and stiles or other parts of a door, and is equally adaptedfer the connection of the parts of analogous sheet metal structures. Thedeedge portions bent towards each other andv then substantiall fparallel with said walls forming relatively wide internal channels, saidother structure part comprising oppo- .ite walls which ext-end betweenand' contact with the inside faces of the inner walls of said channels,and have inwardly extending lateral flanges, portions on said structureparts which abut to prevent inward displacement of the parts, said partsbeing adapted to be placed together' edgewise and a key member whichlocks said structure parts together and ex ends from one to the other ofsaid opposite walls for bracing the same, said key member havingoutwardly directed portions between its side edges which engage theinner faces of said lateral flanges and also having side flanges whichenter said channels and extend diagonally in said channels from one tothe other of the opposite walls thereof and bear against the ends ofsaid channels, said key member acting to draw the abutting portions ofsaid structure parts together.

2. The combination ofparts of a sheet metal structure to be connected,onel of said parts comprising opposite walls having bent portionsconnected theretol by parts entending perpendicularly therefrom andforming lateral shoulders and relatively wide internal channels at theedge of said part, said other structure part having shoulders, the outeredges of which abut against the shoulders of the first part andcomprising walls which extend between and contact with the inside facesof the inner walls of said channels and have inwardly extending lateralflanges, spaced from said lateral flanges of said other part and a keymember which locks said structure parts together and extends from one tothe other of said opposite walls for bracing the same, said key memberhaving outwardly directed portions which engage said lateral flanges andalso having side flanges which enter said channels and extendtransversely in said channels from .one to the other of the oppositewalls thereof, said key member acting to draw said outer edges of saidsecond shoulders into firm cont-act with the faces of said firstshoulders to form tight joints there-with.

3. rllhe combination oit parts ot a sheet metal structure to beconnected, one of said parts comprising opposite walls having bentportions forining relatively wide lateral shoulders and relatively wideinternal channels at the edoe ot said part and inwardly extendinglateral flanges, said other strueture part having relativelyy wideshoulders which extend at an acute angle to said shoulders ot the tiretpart and the outer edges ot' which abut against said shoulders andhaving walls which extend from said shoulders and are adapted to bedisposed between and contact with the inner walls of said channels andhave inwardly extending laterall flanges, and a hey member which lockssaid structure parts together and extends from one to the other of saidopposite walls for bracing` the saine, said key member having outwardlydirected portions which engage said last mentioned lateral flanges andact to draw the edge portions ot last mentioned shoulders tightlyagainst said tiret mentioned shoulders, said key also having sideflanges which enter said channels and extend transversely in saidchannels Ylfroin one to the other of the opposite walls thereof.

et. The combination of parts ot a sheet metal structure to be connected,one ot said parts comprising opposite walls having bent portionsconnected thereto by parts extending perpendicnlarly therefrom andforniing lateral shoulders and relatively wide internal channels at theedge of said part and inwardly extending lateral flanges, said other structnre part having shoulders the edge portions ot which abnt againstcorresponding portions ot the shoulders of the lirst part andcomprising` walls which extend between and contact with the inner wallsot said channels and have inwardly extending lateral flanges which arespaced from said first mentioned lateral flanges, said partsbeingadapted to be placed together lengthwise and a hey member whichlocks said structure parts together and extends from one to the other ofsaid opposite walls for bracing the same, said key member havingoutwardly directed portions which engage said last mentioned lateralflanges and press the same toward said other lateral flanges and act todraw said shoulders of the last mentioned part tightly against theshoulders mit nu.

of said lirst mentioned part7 said key also having side flanges whichenter said channels and extend transversely in said channels froni oneto the other of the opposite walls thereof.

The combination of parts of a sheet metal structure to be connected, oneof said parts comprising opposite walls having bent edge portionsforming relatively wide internal channels, said other structure partcomprising walls which extend between and contact with the inner wallsoit' said channels, and have inwardly extending lateral flanges,portions on said structure parts which ahnt to prevent inwarddisplacement ot the parts, and a key member which locks said structureparts toeether and extends troni one to the other or' said oppositewalls for bracing the same, said hey member having outwardly directedportions which engage said lateral flanges to draw said parts Lther andalso having side 'langes which said channels at an inward inclinationand bear at their edges in the inner corners ot said channels and haverounded intern'iediate portions which bear against the outer walls ot'said channels and stiften said lirst mentioned part to resist thepressure exerted on said abutting parts by said key member.

The combination ot parts of a sheet .zn/etal structure to be connected7one` of said parts comprising opposite walls having bent no y forminglateral shoulders and relatively wide internal channels at the edge ofsaid part, said other structure part having shoulders which abut againstthe shoulders -o't the tirst part and having walls which extend fromsaid shoulders and are adapted lo be disposed between and contact withthe inner walls ol' said channels and have inwardly extending' lateralflanges, said parts being adapted to be placed together edgewise and akey member which locks said structure parts together and extends fromone to the other ot said opposite walls 'tor bracing the same, said heymember having outwardly directed portions which engage said lateralflanges to draw said shoulders into firm contact and also having sideflanges which enter said channels at an inward inclination and bear attheir edges in the inner corners of said channels and haveintern'iediate parts which engage the outer walls of said channels at adistance from the bottoms ot said channels.

LAVVRENE R. LJUNGBERG- VLLIAM A. NDERBERG.

Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,570,310, granted Ja-nuary 19, 1926, upon the application of Lawrence R. Ljungberg and"William A. .Anderberg, of J amestown, Newv York, for an improvement inSheet-Metal Doors and u Analogous Structures, an error appears in theprinted specification requiring correction as follows: Page 4f, lines 49and 50, cla-im 4, for the Word lengthwise read edge-wise; and that thesaid Letters Patent should be read with this Correction therein that thesame may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oliice.

Signed and/sealed this 9th day of March, A. D. 1926.

M. J. MOORE,

[SEAL] Acting Commissioner of Patents.

